Details
NAPOLEON I (1769-1821)
Letter signed ('Napole') to 'Mon Cousin' and (addressed at the foot) 'Au Major General' [Berthier]), 'S[aint] Cloud le 19 7bre 1810', 2 pages, 4to, numbered ('177 bis') and docketed in contemporary hands in the upper margin of the first page.
A SHOW OF CONTEMPT FOR WELLINGTON'S ARMY IN PORTUGAL. 'Faites partir demain un officier porteur d'une lettre pour le Prince d'Essling [Marshal Masséna] dans la quelle vous lui ferez connaitre que mon intention est qu'il attaque et culbute les anglais; que Lord Wellington n'a pas plus de 18000 hommes dont seulement 15,000 d'infanterie, & le reste de cavalerie et d'artillerie; que le General Hill n'a pas plus de 6000 hommes infanterie et cavalerie; qu'il serait ridicule que 25000 anglais tinssent en balance 60,000 francais'. Napoleon orders Berthier to exhort Masséna not to hesitate but to attack openly. While he himself is too distant to advise on the best line of attack, the enemy is in no position to resist, and this is supported by estimates from intelligence ('la nouvelle la plus sure que l'on tient de l'espionnage a Londres') of the strength of Wellington's army in the Peninsula at a total of 28,000.
This accurate estimate of Wellington's force prompted Masséna to attack Wellington at Busaco on 27 September, in anticipation of winning Portugal in a matter of days. The importance of Wellington's successful resistance was that it enabled him to withdraw in good order within the Lines of Torres Vedras, so laying the foundation for his final victory in the Peninsula. This caused the Emperor somewhat to modify his contemptuous opinion of him although the most famous of his ill-conceived comments upon his enemy -- 'ce sera l'affaire d'un déjeuner' -- was before Waterloo. At Busaco Wellington inflicted 5,000 casualities on the French for the loss of only 1,300. General Masséna had been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the French forces in Portugal in April 1810. Berthier, although based in Paris, was styled Major-General of the Army of Spain and Napoleon attempted constantly to interfere with the campaign. General Sir Rowland Hill, 1st Viscount (1772-1842), had been at the battles of Corunna and Talavera and was later at Waterloo.
Letter signed ('Napole') to 'Mon Cousin' and (addressed at the foot) 'Au Major General' [Berthier]), 'S[aint] Cloud le 19 7bre 1810', 2 pages, 4to, numbered ('177 bis') and docketed in contemporary hands in the upper margin of the first page.
A SHOW OF CONTEMPT FOR WELLINGTON'S ARMY IN PORTUGAL. 'Faites partir demain un officier porteur d'une lettre pour le Prince d'Essling [Marshal Masséna] dans la quelle vous lui ferez connaitre que mon intention est qu'il attaque et culbute les anglais; que Lord Wellington n'a pas plus de 18000 hommes dont seulement 15,000 d'infanterie, & le reste de cavalerie et d'artillerie; que le General Hill n'a pas plus de 6000 hommes infanterie et cavalerie; qu'il serait ridicule que 25000 anglais tinssent en balance 60,000 francais'. Napoleon orders Berthier to exhort Masséna not to hesitate but to attack openly. While he himself is too distant to advise on the best line of attack, the enemy is in no position to resist, and this is supported by estimates from intelligence ('la nouvelle la plus sure que l'on tient de l'espionnage a Londres') of the strength of Wellington's army in the Peninsula at a total of 28,000.
This accurate estimate of Wellington's force prompted Masséna to attack Wellington at Busaco on 27 September, in anticipation of winning Portugal in a matter of days. The importance of Wellington's successful resistance was that it enabled him to withdraw in good order within the Lines of Torres Vedras, so laying the foundation for his final victory in the Peninsula. This caused the Emperor somewhat to modify his contemptuous opinion of him although the most famous of his ill-conceived comments upon his enemy -- 'ce sera l'affaire d'un déjeuner' -- was before Waterloo. At Busaco Wellington inflicted 5,000 casualities on the French for the loss of only 1,300. General Masséna had been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the French forces in Portugal in April 1810. Berthier, although based in Paris, was styled Major-General of the Army of Spain and Napoleon attempted constantly to interfere with the campaign. General Sir Rowland Hill, 1st Viscount (1772-1842), had been at the battles of Corunna and Talavera and was later at Waterloo.
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.